commuting to Laurelhurst (Seattle, Bellevue, Shoreline: best neighborhoods, real estate, houses)

[skraj011]

We may be relocating to the seattle area. We'll be working in Laurelhurst and will generally be commuting during rush hour.

We are considering living in the suburbs for schools, space, etc.

the suburbs we are considering are (in no particular order):

Lake Forest park
Shoreline
Bellevue

I am interested in a comparison of commuting times, public school quality, real estate prices, real estate quality, quality of "downtown" areas, recreation opportunities, character, etc.

Other locations are welcomed.

thanks

[Ira500]

Of the three places you mentioned, Bellevue has the best schools, is the only one with a downtown, and has the highest real estate prices. Shoreline is a big mix, ranging from sketchy/run down along Aurora Avenue to quite nice near Richmond Beach. Lake Forest Park is part of the Shoreline school district and has the most interesting architecture. Lots of cool mid century modern homes, huge trees, and a very pleasant shopping area. Curvy, hilly streets, which makes the place interesting. I always like going to Lake Forest Park. It's pretty and undiscovered.
But...Laurelhurst itself is a very nice part of Seattle. The schools there( and adjacent neighborhoods) are among the best in Seattle and have been good for a very long time. Yes, you can commute to Lake Forest Park and Shoreline pretty easily from Laurelhurst, but unless home prices are what is driving your decision, I wouldn't rule out the Seattle side. Ravenna/Bryant/View Ridge/Hawthorne Hills/Laurelhurst/Wallingford/Wedgwood are all neighborhoods to consider. Those neighborhoods have good schools, lower crime, nice places to shop and eat.
To get from Bellevue to Laurelhurst, you'll be paying seven dollars a day in bridge tolls. Nice houses in Bellevue are still quite pricey( but so are houses in Laurelhurst), but if you're thinking about the east side, might as well throw in Redmond and Kirkland as well. Kirkland has a lot of charm. Both Redmond and Kirkland are in the Lake Washington school district, which is considered to be excellent.

[skraj011]

Originally Posted by Ira500

Of the three places you mentioned, Bellevue has the best schools, is the only one with a downtown, and has the highest real estate prices. Shoreline is a big mix, ranging from sketchy/run down along Aurora Avenue to quite nice near Richmond Beach. Lake Forest Park is part of the Shoreline school district and has the most interesting architecture. Lots of cool mid century modern homes, huge trees, and a very pleasant shopping area. Curvy, hilly streets, which makes the place interesting. I always like going to Lake Forest Park. It's pretty and undiscovered.
But...Laurelhurst itself is a very nice part of Seattle. The schools there( and adjacent neighborhoods) are among the best in Seattle and have been good for a very long time. Yes, you can commute to Lake Forest Park and Shoreline pretty easily from Laurelhurst, but unless home prices are what is driving your decision, I wouldn't rule out the Seattle side. Ravenna/Bryant/View Ridge/Hawthorne Hills/Laurelhurst/Wallingford/Wedgwood are all neighborhoods to consider. Those neighborhoods have good schools, lower crime, nice places to shop and eat.
To get from Bellevue to Laurelhurst, you'll be paying seven dollars a day in bridge tolls. Nice houses in Bellevue are still quite pricey( but so are houses in Laurelhurst), but if you're thinking about the east side, might as well throw in Redmond and Kirkland as well. Kirkland has a lot of charm. Both Redmond and Kirkland are in the Lake Washington school district, which is considered to be excellent.

thanks for the info. Is the shoreline school district good?

[skraj011]

During rush hours:

from Bellevue to Laurelhurst?

from Lake forest park to laurelhurst?

thanks.

[Inkpoe]

Shoreline district is very good, actually.

I should note, you would only be paying toll if you use 520. Should you use i90, then... you're paying in more traffic time. A lot of people are trying to avoid paying the toll, so other (free) routes are being used more. 522 which you would be using from LFP will have you dealing with those people.

[Inkpoe]

Which part of Bellevue? It encompass a huge area. Are you willing to pay the toll?

[skraj011]

Originally Posted by Inkpoe

Which part of Bellevue? It encompass a huge area. Are you willing to pay the toll?

yes would be willing to pay the toll. not sure about which part of bellevue though. Can you give me a rough idea of the range?

[tobester]

Why commute to Laurelhurst? If that's where you're working, why not live there? It's one of the best neighborhoods in Seattle.

[skraj011]

thinking of moving to bellevue and working in laurelhurst.

Not going to be happy about paying the toll for the sr520 bridge, but if it dramatically reduces the commute it would be ok.

[Inkpoe]

I think last week... they were saying 520 has 44% of the usual traffic. It certainly has cut down on the traffic. But honestly, I don't know how long it will remain that way. Eventually people are going to get that they will save time by using 520-- then so much more will start paying that traffic goes back to being a parking lot for miles. As it stand right now, a lot are dodging it.

You should also look into Public Transit... we do have a decent one.